In search of freedom and comfort

Often, I drink my morning tea sitting in the garden. The sounds of chirping birds and the cool morning breeze send my day off to a good start. Last week, one morning I noticed, two tiny little kittens were playing joyfully in one corner of the garden. They looked like two white angels, and were running up and down the red stairs, free and fearless. Their mother, an ash-colored cat was sitting on a chair. Seeing me approach, she jumped off to settle on a nearby cot. I was happily enjoying the activities of the cat family. Instantly I felt very close to them, and to bring them near, I offered a bowl of milk, which those two kittens licked joyfully, and the left over was polished off by my three legged dog Gujia in no time. I have enjoyed their company and decided to bring them back by offering milk to them every morning. Next few days they did not come and one morning while walking I noticed only one kitten was playing around chair. I gave her milk, which she drank, and after some time she also disappeared. Next morning, while I was waiting for them, my housemaid brought a very sad news. She said, one of the little kittens has lost her life by some insensitive driver. I was heartbroken. I enquired about her mother and her sibling, but no one could give me any information. I realized that mother cat must have migrated to some safer place with her other baby. Another week passed. One evening I noticed a little commotion behind a bush and I was thrilled to see my little friend came to give me a surprise visit. I was overjoyed, gave her milk which she finished in no time. She played hide and seek alone in the garden, with lot of curiosity watched on going activities of others, and then I did not notice when she disappeared, maybe she went back to her mother. I realized, they love their freedom, they are born free. And to have that, they are ready to face harshness of nature and human behavior. But they do not forget loving homes, where they are welcomed. So I keep a comfortable corner ready for such guests, in a corner of our garden, where food, water and a bed will be ready to welcome them back. Freedom inspires us to explore, and love brings us back to our nests. And by balancing these two poles may be why life becomes worth living.